JP2003159827A - Ink jet recording method, ink jet recorder, image processing method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink jet recording method in which a fixing time can be shortened by suppressing deterioration of recording with first ink (black ink) of low permeability. <P>SOLUTION: At the time of recording by using a first ink (black ink) having a specified permeability and a second ink (color ink) having a permeability higher than the specified permeability, a decision is made whether the second ink is imparted to a specified area of a recording medium being imparted with the first ink or not based on the imparting state of the first ink to the specified area. More specifically, black ink and color ink are ejected while being overlapped if the ejection duty of black ink is high for the specified area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method and an ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by ejecting inks having different penetrability to a recording medium such as black ink and color ink. In particular, it relates to improvement of the recording speed and recording quality.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, since an ink jet recording method and an ink jet recording apparatus for recording on various recording media are capable of high density and high speed recording operation, they have been widely applied as an output means of various apparatuses. Has been done.

In general, an ink jet recording apparatus comprises a carriage on which a recording means (recording head) and an ink tank are mounted, a conveying means for conveying a recording medium (recording paper), and a control means for controlling these. . Then, while the recording head for ejecting ink droplets is moved in the direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording medium, ink is ejected from the plurality of ejection ports to perform serial scanning. During non-recording, the recording medium is intermittently conveyed in an amount equal to the recording width.

Further, this ink jet recording apparatus is known as an apparatus which is low in running cost and excellent in quietness because it records by ejecting ink onto a recording medium according to a recording signal. . Further, in recent years, many products that use color inks and are compatible with color recording have also been put into practical use.

In a color ink jet recording apparatus capable of supporting such color recording, since black ink is often used for printing characters and the like, the sharpness of printing,
Achievement of sharpness and high recording density is required. As one means for achieving this, the permeability of the black ink to the recording medium is lowered, and the permeation of the coloring material contained in the black ink into the recording medium is suppressed. The technology is known. Regarding color inks, when two kinds of inks of different colors are adjacently applied to a recording medium, the inks are mixed with each other at their boundaries, which deteriorates the quality of a color image (bleeding). In order to prevent this, there is also known a technique of increasing the permeability of the recording medium to prevent the color inks from mixing with each other on the surface of the recording medium (see, for example, JP-A-55-65269).

[0006]

However, when such an ink set is used, the fixing time is relatively short because the color inks have high penetrability, but the black inks have low penetrability and thus dry fixing is possible. Takes a relatively long time. Therefore, when one recording medium is printed and ejected, and the next recording medium is ejected, the black ink of the first ejected recording medium is discharged before the next recording medium is completely dried. The recording medium may be ejected. in this case,
A problem occurs that the recording surface of the first recording medium and the recording back surface of the next recording medium are soiled (a phenomenon that causes such contamination of the recording surface and the back surface will be referred to as "smear" hereinafter).
Called). This problem becomes a big problem as the printing speed increases. In order to eliminate the occurrence of smear, the following measures have been conventionally taken.

As one of the countermeasures, there is a method of fixing the ink on the recording surface of the recording medium by disposing a fixing device. As this fixing device, for example, there is a heating fixing device,
With this heat fixing device, it is possible to almost completely remove the water content of the ink that has been sent, so a good fixing state can be obtained, but this leads to an increase in the size of the recording apparatus and an increase in cost, which is characteristic of an inkjet recording apparatus. There arises a problem that the advantages of miniaturization and cost reduction cannot be realized. Further, in the serial printer, the recording medium is intermittently conveyed, but there is a possibility that uneven conveyance may occur by passing the recording medium through the fixing device.

As a second countermeasure, there is a control called a paper discharge town control for temporarily stopping the discharge of the recording medium. This is because the start of printing on the second recording medium is temporarily stopped until the first recording medium is printed and is sufficiently dried, or after recording on the second recording medium is completed. There are some that temporarily suspend the paper discharge operation. According to this, the occurrence of smear can be suppressed. However, when such control is performed, it becomes impossible to guarantee a sufficient printing speed. Particularly in recent inkjet recording apparatuses, those capable of high-speed recording of 15 to 20 sheets per minute have been realized, and the recording speed is an important element that symbolizes the performance of the apparatus. If the above is performed, the printing speed is reduced, which means that the performance of the apparatus is degraded as it is.

As a third measure, there is a method in which a color ink having high permeability is recorded on the black ink recording area in an overlapping manner. In this case, since the black ink is recorded on the paper surface which is wet with the color ink, the black ink is easily fixed on the paper surface, whereby smear can be suppressed.

However, in this method, since the color ink is also recorded in the black image area, the sharpness of the black image is deteriorated and the quality of black characters is deteriorated. Further, if the color ink is applied to all the black data, a large amount of color ink is used, which causes a problem that the cost per print increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and shortens the fixing time while suppressing image deterioration due to recording using an ink having low permeability such as black ink. An object is to provide an ink jet recording method, an inkjet recording device, an image processing method, a program, and a storage medium that can be achieved.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first recording means for ejecting a first ink having a predetermined permeability to a recording medium, and the predetermined penetration. And a second recording unit that ejects a second ink having a higher permeability than the ink composition, and performs recording by ejecting the respective inks from the respective recording units based on image data. A determination step of determining the application form of the second ink to the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, based on information about the application state of the first ink to the predetermined area of the recording medium; A recording step of performing recording according to the form of application of the second ink determined in the step.

Further, according to the present invention, the first recording means for ejecting the first ink having a predetermined permeability to the recording medium, and the permeability to the recording medium are higher than the first ink. An ink jet recording method using a second recording unit for ejecting a second ink to perform recording by ejecting each of the inks from each of the recording units based on image data. A step of acquiring information on the application state of the first ink, and a determination step of determining the fixing state of the first ink on the recording medium after a predetermined time has elapsed, based on the information acquired in the acquisition step. , A determination step of determining the application form of the second ink to the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, and recording according to the application form determined in the determination step And recording step, is characterized in that it has a.

Further, according to the present invention, the first recording means for ejecting the first ink having a predetermined permeability to the recording medium, and the second recording means having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability.
An ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording by ejecting the respective inks from the respective recording means on the basis of image data by using the second recording means for ejecting the ink of
A determining unit that determines an application form of the second ink to the predetermined region to which the first ink is applied, based on information about an application state of the first ink to the predetermined region of the recording medium, and the determining unit. And a recording control unit that performs recording according to the application form of the second ink determined by the above.

Further, according to the present invention, the first recording means for ejecting the first ink having a predetermined permeability to the recording medium and the second recording means having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability.
Image processing for processing the image data transferred from each of the recording means to the inkjet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting each of the inks based on the image data. Method,
A determination step of determining whether or not to apply the second ink to the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, based on ejection data of the first ink to the predetermined area of the recording medium; A step of creating ejection data for ejecting the second ink to the predetermined area when it is decided to apply the second ink in the step. It is a thing.

Further, according to the present invention, the first recording means for ejecting the first ink having a predetermined permeability to the recording medium, and the second recording means having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability.
And second recording means for ejecting ink, and processing data used for executing an ink jet recording method for recording by ejecting each ink from each recording means based on image data. An image processing method, wherein whether or not to apply the second ink to a predetermined area to which the first ink is applied is determined based on ejection data of the first ink to the predetermined area of the recording medium. A determining step, and a data creating step of creating ejection data of the second ink corresponding to the predetermined area when it is decided to apply the second ink in the determining step. It is what

Further, according to the present invention, the first recording means for ejecting the first ink having a predetermined permeability to the recording medium and the second recording means having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability.
A second recording means for ejecting the ink, and processing the image data used for executing the ink jet recording method for recording by ejecting the respective ink from the respective recording means based on the image data. A program for performing data processing of the first ink, based on ejection data of the first ink for a predetermined region of the recording medium,
Determination step of determining whether or not to apply the second ink to the predetermined area to which the ink is applied, and when it is determined in the determination step to apply the second ink, the predetermined area is applied to the predetermined area. A computer is made to perform the data creation process of creating the corresponding ejection data of the second ink.

Further, the present invention is a storage medium storing a program readable by a computer, characterized in that the above-mentioned program is stored.

[0019]

According to the above construction, the first ink having a relatively low permeability (for example, black ink having a low permeability) and the second ink having a relatively high permeability (for example, a color ink having high permeability) are used. When printing is performed using the color ink, the black ink is applied to the predetermined area in accordance with the applied state (for example, whether the ink is applied with a high duty or the low duty). Since the form (presence / absence of application, amount of application) is determined, the fixing time can be shortened while suppressing the amount of ink application as much as possible. Specifically, for areas where low-permeability black ink is applied with a high duty, that is, for areas that require a relatively long time for ink fixing, high-permeability color ink is applied and the fixing time To shorten. on the other hand,
The high-permeability color ink is not applied to the region where the low-permeability black ink is applied with a low duty, that is, the region where the ink fixing is performed in a relatively short time. Minimize the amount.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, information (dot density information or data amount) regarding the state of application of the low-permeability first ink (for example, black ink) to the recording medium.
Based on the above, the application form (presence or absence of application, application amount, etc.) of the highly penetrating second ink (for example, color ink) is determined. More specifically, if the state of application of black ink having low penetrability is quantified and determined using the ink dot density information or the amount of ink ejection data, and the fixing time of the black ink becomes long (for example, the black ink dot If the density is high), the fixing time should be shortened by recording the color ink on the black ink in an appropriate amount. Further, when the applied state of the black ink is small, that is, when the dot density is low, the black ink is recorded only without overlapping recording of the color inks. Thus, in this embodiment, by determining the color ink application form (presence or absence of application, application amount, etc.) according to the application state of black ink, while sufficiently suppressing the occurrence of smear, The main feature is to shorten the fixing time. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recording method is selected and the waiting time is set as necessary, and it is also proposed that the color ink and the black ink have reactivity. .

[0021]

Basic Structure of Embodiment First, a basic structure which is a premise of each embodiment (first to third embodiments) of an inkjet recording apparatus and an inkjet recording method of the present invention will be described. As a recording head (recording unit) applied to each embodiment of the present invention, for example, there is a recording head which applies a recording signal to recording ink of the recording head and ejects droplets by the generated thermal energy. The structure of this recording head is shown in FIGS. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the recording head cut along the ink flow path, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a recording head in which many nozzles shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in parallel. The schematic configuration of is shown.

In each figure, 13 is a recording head,
The top plate 14 formed of glass, ceramic, plastic, or the like, in which the ink flow path 14a is formed, and the head main body 15 having a heating resistor used for heat-sensitive recording are bonded together. This head body 15 is
It comprises a protective film 16 made of silicon oxide or the like, aluminum electrodes 17-1 and 17-2, a heating resistor layer 18 made of nichrome or the like, a heat storage layer 19, and a substrate 20 having a good heat dissipation property such as alumina. ing.

In the recording head as described above, the recording ink I always reaches the ejection orifice 22 and forms the meniscus Ia by the pressure.

When an electric signal is applied to the electrodes 17-1 and 17-2, the area indicated by n in the recording head 13 rapidly heats up and bubbles are generated in the ink 21 in contact therewith. The ink forming the meniscus is ejected by the pressure of the bubbles, and the ink droplets are ejected as recording droplets toward the recording material.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an ink jet recording apparatus incorporating the recording head 13. In the figure, 6
A recovery unit 4 performs a recovery operation for maintaining a good ink ejection state at each nozzle of the recording head 13. The recovery unit 64 is arranged at a predetermined recovery operation position (for example, home position) out of the recording area of the recording head, and the ink absorber 63 that absorbs ink ejected from the recording head by preliminary ejection or the like. A blade 61 for cleaning the ejection port surface, a cap 62 for sucking and discharging the thickened ink in each nozzle of the recording head, and the like are provided.

Reference numeral 66 is a carriage supported by a predetermined guide shaft 67 and the like so as to be capable of reciprocating along the main scanning direction, and reciprocating together with an endless belt 69 that is moved by the driving force of a carriage motor (CR motor 68). Is supposed to do. Further, the carriage 66 is equipped with the recording head 13 and an ink tank for supplying ink to the recording head 13 so that the ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 13 as described above as the carriage 66 moves. Has become.

Reference numeral 51 is a recording medium supply unit for inserting a recording medium, and 52 is a paper feed roller driven by a motor (not shown). With these configurations, the recording medium is conveyed to a position facing the ejection port surface of the recording head, that is, the recording position, and is ejected to the ejecting portion provided with the paper ejection roller 53 as the recording operation progresses. In the inkjet recording apparatus, the recording head is reciprocally moved together with the carriage along the main scanning direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and in both the movement in the forward movement direction and the movement in the backward movement direction, At least one of black ink and color-in is ejected from the recording head toward the recording medium to record an image. It should be noted that the processing of the recording data in this bidirectional recording is realized by a well-known technique, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

When the recording head returns to the home position after the recording operation is completed, the cap 6 of the ejection recovery unit 64 is
Reference numeral 2 is retracted from the movement path of the recording head, but the blade is projected in the movement path. As a result, the ejection port surface of the recording head is wiped by the blade. When the cap comes into contact with the ejection port surface of the recording head for capping, the cap moves so as to project into the movement path of the recording head.

When the recording head moves from the home position to the recording start position, the cap and the blade are at the same positions as the above wiping positions. As a result, the ejection opening surface of the recording head is wiped even during this movement.

The above-mentioned movement of the recording head to the home position is not limited to the completion of recording and the recovery of ejection, but the home adjacent to the recording area at a predetermined interval while the recording head moves in the recording area for recording. The wiper is moved to the position, and the wiping is performed along with the move.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an ink cartridge for supplying ink to the recording head via an ink supply member such as a tube. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 40 denotes an ink containing portion that contains the supply ink, and is composed of an ink bag here. A rubber stopper 42 is provided at the tip of the ink bag 40, and a needle (not shown) is attached to this stopper.
The ink in the ink bag 40 can be supplied to the head by inserting. Reference numeral 44 is an absorber that receives waste ink. As the ink containing portion, it is preferable that the contact surface with the ink is formed of polyolefin, particularly polyethylene.

As a cartridge applicable to this embodiment, there are provided two accommodating portions respectively accommodating the black ink and the color ink, and each accommodating portion ejects the black ink and the color ink. Another example is a cartridge configured to be attachable to and detachable from each head.

FIG. 6 shows an example of such a cartridge 1401. Reference numeral 1403 denotes a storage portion that stores black ink, 1405 denotes a storage portion that stores color ink, and the cartridge 1401 is black as shown in FIG. The recording head 1501 for ejecting each of ink and color ink is configured to be detachable, and the ink is supplied to the recording head 1501 when the cartridge 1401 is mounted on the recording head 1501. .

The recording head and the ink cartridge applicable to the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment are not limited to those in which the recording head and the ink cartridge are separate bodies as described above, and are as shown in FIG. A recording unit that integrates them is also preferably used.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 70 denotes a recording unit, in which an ink containing portion for containing ink, for example, an ink absorber is contained, and the ink in such an ink absorber forms a plurality of orifices. It is configured to be ejected as an ink droplet from the head portion 71 included therein. As a material for the ink absorber, for example, polyurethane can be used. Reference numeral 72 is an atmosphere communication port for communicating the inside of the recording unit with the atmosphere. This recording unit is used in place of the recording head shown in FIG. 4, and is detachably attached to the carriage 66.

Further, as another form of the recording unit applicable to this embodiment, a black ink and a color ink (for example, at least one color ink selected from yellow, magenta, cyan, red, green and blue), An example of the recording unit is a single ink tank, which is housed in an ink storage section formed corresponding to each ink, and which is integrally provided with a recording head for ejecting each ink.

FIG. 9 shows an example of this recording unit. As shown in the figure, in this recording unit, black ink is stored in the storage section 1601Bk, and yellow, cyan, and magenta color inks are stored in the color ink storage section 1 respectively.
The recording head 1603 is configured to be housed in each of 601Y, 1601C, and 1601M, and has a recording head 1603 configured to have separate ink flow paths so that each ink can be ejected individually.

In the ink jet recording apparatus applied to this embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus which applies thermal energy to ink to eject the ink has been described as an example. However, in this embodiment, for example, mechanical energy is applied. A recording head of a type that acts on ink to eject the ink, for example, a piezo type inkjet recording head that uses a piezoelectric element is also applicable.

FIG. 10 shows a structural example of a recording head which ejects ink by this mechanical energy. The recording head 1700 shown here includes an ink flow path 1701 communicating with an ink chamber (not shown), an orifice plate 1703 for ejecting a desired volume of ink droplets, and a vibrating plate 1705 for exerting a direct pressure on the ink. A piezoelectric element 1707 which is joined to the vibrating plate 1705 and is displaced by an electric signal, an orifice plate 1703, and a substrate 1709 for indicating and fixing the vibrating plate and the like.

Here, the ink flow path 1701 is made of a photosensitive resin or the like, and the orifice plate 1703 is formed with a hole such as stainless or nickel by electroforming or press working to form the discharge port 1711. The diaphragm 1705 is made of stainless steel, nickel,
The piezoelectric element 1707 is formed of a metal film such as titanium and a highly elastic resin film, and the piezoelectric element 1707 is formed of a dielectric material such as barium titanate or PZT.

In the recording head having the above-described structure, a pulse voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 1707 to generate strain stress, and the stress generation energy is the piezoelectric element 1707.
The vibrating plate joined to is deformed, the ink in the ink flow path 1701 is vertically pressurized, and an ink droplet (not shown) is ejected from the ejection port 1711 of the orifice plate to perform recording. Such a recording head can be used by incorporating it in a recording device substantially similar to that shown in FIG. The operation of the recording device is substantially the same as described above.

FIG. 17 shows the nozzle structure of the recording head used in this embodiment. A head (first recording unit) that ejects black ink has 600 nozzles at intervals of 1/600. On the other hand, the color head (second recording means) has 1280 nozzles at intervals of 1/1280 inch. The reason why the nozzle resolution of the color head is higher than that of the black head is that a high-resolution and high-definition image can be realized.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an electric control system showing an example of the structure of the electric control system of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a system controller for controlling the entire apparatus, in which a storage element (ROM) in which a control program is stored is arranged including a microprocessor. A driver 302 drives the recording head in the main scanning direction. 304
Motors 305 and 305 correspond to the drivers 302 and 303, respectively, and operate by receiving information such as speed and movement distance from the driver.

A host computer 306 is a device for transferring information to be recorded to the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment. As its form, in addition to a computer as an information processing device,
It can also take the form of an image reader or the like. 307
Is a buffer for temporarily storing the data from the host computer 306.
The received data is accumulated until the data is read from 01. 309 (309k, 309c, 309
m, 309y) is a frame memory for expanding data to be recorded into image data, and has a memory size of a sentence required for recording for each color. Here, a frame memory capable of recording one recording sheet will be described, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the size of the frame memory. 309 (309k, 309
c, 309m, 309y) are storage elements (frame memories) for temporarily storing the data to be recorded, and the recording capacity changes according to the number of nozzles of the recording head.

Reference numeral 310 is for appropriately controlling the print head in response to a command from the system controller 301, and functions as a print control unit (control means) for controlling the print speed, the number of print data, and the like. It functions as a recording data processing unit and a discriminating unit that performs a discriminating operation. Reference numeral 311 denotes a driver for driving the recording heads 17k, 17c, 17m, and 17y for ejecting ink, which is controlled by a signal from the recording control unit 310.

In the control system having the above configuration, the image data supplied from the host computer 306 is transferred to the reception buffer 307, temporarily stored therein, and expanded in the frame memory for each color. The expanded image data is read by the system controller 301 and expanded in the frame memory 309. The recording control unit 310 controls the operation of the recording heads 17k, 17c, 17m, and 17y based on the image data and the processing liquid in each buffer.

[0048]

Features of Embodiments Embodiments relating to the features of the present invention will be described below.

(First Embodiment) First, the fixing time, the recording method and the like in the first embodiment will be described in detail. Regarding the fixing time, FIG. 12A shows the dot density of an image recorded with black ink in an area of 64 pixels in the vertical direction and 64 pixels in the horizontal direction when the 1/600 inch square area is defined as one pixel, and the time required for fixing the image. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship with a time (fixing time) to be applied. In the following description, all pixels are 1/600
Let ich be a pixel unit.

FIG. 12B shows an image to which ink is applied with different dot densities. In the figure, the image on the rightmost side has a dot density of 100% (thinning rate 0%).
The image is recorded with the applied amount of. Here, the applied amount with a dot density of 100% is 30 for all pixels.
This is the application amount when one ng of ink droplet is applied. In the case of this example, it is assumed that the dots are substantially evenly distributed in a region of 64 * 64 pixels. Further, the time required for fixing means the time required from immediately after recording is completed until the next paper is not contaminated even if it is discharged. Therefore, for example, in a printer that requires a printing speed of 15 sheets per minute, the fixing time must be within about 4 seconds. As is clear from FIG. 12,
The fixing time required increases as the dot density increases.

Next, FIG. 13 shows changes in the fixing time when the image density is increased while the dot density remains 100%.
It is shown in (a). Here, a case is shown in which recording is performed with a dot density of 100% in a square area having the same number of pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions.
In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the length of one side of each image in pixel units.

Further, FIG. 13B shows a dot density of 100%.
It shows that the images of different sizes recorded in No. 2 are shown, and as shown in the figure, the larger the area size, the longer the fixing time is required.

Next, in FIG. 14A, color ink is applied in advance to the square area used in FIG. 2 (hereinafter, this color ink recording method is referred to as "underprinting"), and thereafter, It shows the fixing time of the black ink when the black ink is applied to the same area. Cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are 1/6 each for color ink
Applying 4.5 ng of ink droplets to the area of 00 inch square is 100% of dot density (0% thinning rate)
In this example, 25% (75% thinning rate)
%) Was added.

Further, FIG. 14B shows the case where the color ink is applied after the black ink is applied to the area as shown in FIG. 13 (hereinafter, this recording method is referred to as “overprinting”).
(Referred to as)). in this case,
As is clear from comparison with FIG. 13A, it can be seen that the fixing time is shortened by applying the color ink. Further, comparing (a) and (b) in FIG. 14, it can be seen that the fixing time is further shortened when the color ink is recorded before the black ink.

A possible ink fixing mechanism for this is shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b). First, when the color ink is applied to the surface of the recording paper first, the color ink 2001 has high permeability, so that the surface of the recording paper is wetted with a sufficient spread, and the wettability of the paper surface is enhanced. Then, since the black ink 2002 is applied to the wide area having high wettability, the black ink 2002
Also spreads and penetrates in a short time, fixing.

On the other hand, when the black ink 2002 is first applied to the recording medium, the black ink 2002, which is hard to penetrate, first comes into contact with the paper surface, so that the interface between the recording medium and the black ink 2002 is hard to get wet. Is formed. In this state, the color ink 2001 is applied. The color ink 2001 is first the black ink 200.
2. Mixed ink 200 that mixes with 2 on the paper surface and becomes easy to wet
It is thought that 3 will penetrate. However, since the amount of the color ink 2001 applied is usually smaller than that of the black ink 2002, the penetrability of the black ink 22 does not increase significantly even if both inks are sufficiently mixed, and the color ink is applied first. Compared with the case, it is difficult to penetrate, and it is considered that fixing is delayed. As is clear from the above, the form in which the high-permeability color ink is applied after the low-permeability black ink is applied is slightly longer than the form in which the color ink is applied before the black ink is applied. Although it takes longer, the fixing period is considerably shorter than that in the case where the high-permeability color ink is not applied to the low-permeability black ink.

FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the amount of color ink applied and the fixing time. Here, 320 pixels in the horizontal direction and 320 pixels in the vertical direction.
A case was shown in which the black ink was applied to the pixel area with an injection amount of 100%, and the amount of the under-inking ink applied with the color ink was increased with respect to the black image formed in the area. It can be understood that the fixing time of the black ink is shortened as much as the applied amount of the color ink is increased.

Next, the relationship between the amount of color ink applied and the quality of black characters recorded with black ink will be described. Table 1 is a table in which the applied amount of color ink and the degree of deterioration of black character quality are measured and the results are summarized in the table. As shown in this table, it became clear that the black character quality (sharpness) deteriorates as the amount of color ink applied increases.

[0059]

[Table 1]

The relationship between the application state of each ink, the fixing time of black ink (Bk ink), and the recording quality is summarized as follows. The fixing time of Bk ink becomes longer as the dot density is increased. The fixing time becomes slower as the area to which the Bk ink is applied becomes wider. By applying the color ink, the fixing time is shortened, and it is faster to record the color ink first. The fixing time becomes faster as the amount of color ink applied increases. As the amount of color ink applied increases, the quality of black characters deteriorates.

Recording Method Next, the recording method in the first embodiment will be specifically described. In the ink jet recording apparatus applied to this embodiment, it is premised that an image recorded with a black ink having low permeability (hereinafter referred to as a black image) can record 15 or more sheets per minute.

In this embodiment, index information representing the application state of the black ink is acquired as the quantified information of the application state of the black ink which is the ink (first ink) having low permeability to the recording paper. The fixing state (fixing time) is determined based on the index information, and based on the determination result, the application of the color ink, which is the highly penetrating ink (second ink), is controlled.

That is, the index for determining the fixing state of the black image is obtained by calculating the dot density of the black ink in the detection area of 64 pixels square (hereinafter referred to as "small detection area"). As shown in FIG. 12, when the dot density is 75% or more, the fixing time exceeds 4 seconds. Therefore, in a region where the dot density is 75% or more, it is necessary to perform overprinting with color dots.

Next, it is assumed that a biased dot density distribution is formed in a region of vertical 64 pixels and horizontal 64 pixels. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, if an image is formed with a dot density of 100% in an area of 35 pixels in the vertical direction and 35 pixels in the horizontal direction, the presence of this area causes the fixing time of the area of 64 pixels in the vertical direction and 64 pixels in the horizontal direction to be 4 times. It will exceed the second. That is, in this case, the dot density in the small detection area of 64 pixels square is about 30%, and if this is applied to the relationship in FIG. 12, the fixing time should be completely less than 4 seconds, but in FIG. As shown in the relationship, the actual fixing time will be over 4 seconds. Therefore, in this embodiment, the dot density as an index representing the ink application state in the small area is
When it is 30% or more instead of 75% as described above, the overlapping recording by the color dots is performed on the small area, thereby surely suppressing the occurrence of smear. There is.

Further, in the present embodiment, all the overlapping recording of the black ink and the color ink is performed by recording the color ink first.

Next, the determination of the applied amount of color ink in underprinting will be described. The amount of color dots applied when the highly penetrating color ink is underprinted is, as shown in FIG.
It is desirable to increase the driving amount as much as possible. However, as already described in Table 1 above, if the amount of printing is too large, the character quality deteriorates. Since it is necessary to suppress the deterioration of character quality as much as possible, it is not a good idea to increase the amount of color ink applied unnecessarily. Therefore, in this embodiment, the dot density of the color ink is set to 25% for each color based on Table 1 described above.

Further, even when the color dots are underprinted, show-through occurs when the area of the black image is large. When the amount of color under-printing is set to 25%, black ink is printed horizontally 64 as shown in FIG.
If it exists over 0 pixels, the fixing time will exceed 4 seconds. In such a case, underprinting recording is performed, and at the time when the recording of the next recording sheet is completed, the sheet discharge waiting control is performed to temporarily stop the sheet discharge to the sheet discharge section.

FIG. 18 shows a specific detection area, small detection area and detection method in the ink jet recording apparatus used in this embodiment. The recording head used in this embodiment has 600 nozzles for ejecting black ink as shown in FIG. Therefore, the area that can be recorded at one time is an area having a width of 600 nozzles in the vertical direction, as in the area A shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, in printing text with black ink, one-pass printing is performed to complete an image having the same width as the length of the nozzle group of the head in one main scan, and this is performed by moving the carriage forward and backward. In both cases, so-called bidirectional recording is performed. The detection area in this case is an area A which is an area to be printed by one printing scan. Actual detection is a small detection area B of 64 pixels vertically and 64 pixels horizontally from the upper left of the detection area to be recorded.
The dot density of the black ink is calculated for each (see FIG. 18). Then, even if the dot density exceeds 30% even once, the recording is switched to the recording (one-direction recording) in the direction in which the pre-recording is performed with the color ink. In this embodiment, when the dot density exceeds 30%, underprinting with color ink is performed on all black images in the detection area A.
In addition, the waiting time in the above-described discharge waiting control is set as necessary. When the dot density is calculated for all the small detection areas in the detection area A and the threshold value is never exceeded, one-pass reciprocal printing is performed.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart collectively showing the above operation control. Step S1
When a dot density of 30% or more is detected in the small detection area B in step S2, it is determined in step S2 that color dots are underprinted. When it is determined that the color dot is to be underlaid, the area A so that the color ink is ejected to the detection area A including the small detection area B.
The color ink ejection data corresponding to is created. Furthermore,
The main scanning direction is limited in order to apply the color ink to the paper surface first. Then, the dot density of the black ink is calculated for all of the small detection areas to be detected, and the number of small detection areas that exceed the dot density threshold (here, 30%) are continuous (adjacent) (hereinafter referred to as the “continuous number”). Is determined to be 10 times or more (step S3, step S
5, step S1). When it is determined that the number of consecutive prints is 10 or more, the sheet discharge waiting time is set according to the number of consecutive detections in step S4, and then the color dots and black are set based on the set results. Dots are recorded (step S6). The number of consecutive small detection areas exceeding the threshold, the recording method, the recording direction, and the occurrence of the waiting time can be summarized as shown in Table 2 below.

[0071]

[Table 2]

As described above, in this embodiment, since the under detection is performed on the small detection area having a high black dot density, the fixing speed of the black ink can be increased. Further, when the dot density of the black ink is high and a black image is formed in a wide area, the sheet discharge waiting time is set according to the degree, so smear due to show-through is prevented. be able to. Also, since the underlay is set only in the detection area where the fixing may be slow, and the waiting time is set only in the detection area where the fixing may be slow, the undershoot and the fixing waiting operation are performed as in the conventional method. It is possible to minimize the decrease in printing speed and the deterioration of character quality as compared with the case of always performing it.

In this embodiment, in the scanning for underprinting, the color inks are underprinted for all the black images in the detection area A, but if the black dot density exceeds the threshold, You may make it underprint only in a detection area. In the case of this mode, the color ink ejection data is created so that the color ink is ejected only to the small detection area B in which it is determined that the color dot is underprinted. According to this aspect, the amount of undercolored color ink is reduced as compared with the case of ejecting color ink over the entire detection area A, the running cost is suppressed, and cockling (the amount of ink ejected on the recording medium becomes too large. It is possible to suppress the phenomenon that the recording medium is wavy.

Further, in the above, as the information on the application state of the low-permeability black ink, the information on the dot density on which the black ink is applied is acquired, the fixing state (fixing time) is determined based on the information, and The mode of determining the application mode (presence / absence or application amount) of the highly penetrating color ink based on the determination result has been described. However, the first embodiment is not limited to this form.

For example, as the information on the black ink application state, the information on the data amount (data amount indicating the black ink application) corresponding to a predetermined area (small detection area or detection area) is simply used. Good. That is, the ink application data amount and the ink dot density (ejection duty) are related to each other.
If the ink application data amount corresponding to the predetermined area is large, the ink dot density in the predetermined area is high, while if the ink application data amount corresponding to the predetermined area is small, the ink dot density in the predetermined area is low. Because there is
It is also possible to adopt a form in which the ink application state for the predetermined area is determined using the acquired ink application data amount itself without performing the calculation process of calculating the ink dot density based on the acquired ink application data. is there.

In the case of this embodiment, the threshold value for applying the color ink is naturally defined by the data amount in the predetermined area. Specifically, if the ejection data amount of black ink corresponding to a predetermined area is larger than a threshold value, color ink is ejected to that area, while
If the ejection data amount of the black ink corresponding to the predetermined area is less than the threshold value, the color ink is controlled not to be ejected to the area.

Further, in the above, the fixing state (fixing time) of the black dots is discriminated on the basis of the information relating to the state of applying the black ink, and the mode of imparting the color ink (presence or absence of imparting, amount of imparting etc.) according to the discrimination result. However, the step of determining the fixing state (fixing time) may be omitted. That is, by previously associating the information regarding the applied state of the black ink with the fixing state (fixing time) of the black dots, the black state can be determined without the determination of the fixing state (fixing time) for a predetermined area each time. The color ink application form can be determined more directly from the information about the ink application state.

As described above, in this embodiment, the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied is determined based on the application state of the low-permeability first ink (for example, black ink) to the predetermined area of the recording medium. It is determined whether or not to apply the second ink having high permeability (for example, color ink) to
Specifically, since the color ink is ejected in the area where the ejection duty of the black ink is high and the color ink is not ejected in the area where the ejection duty of the black ink is low, smear is not generated. The fixing time can be shortened while sufficiently suppressing it.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment relating to the features of the present invention will be described.

The recording medium most commonly used is a recording paper called plain paper. This recording paper has various fixing properties depending on the manufacturing method and the manufacturer. For this reason, a low threshold value is used for recording paper having a relatively low fixing property among plain papers, and a discharge waiting time is set to be long. Further, when a recording sheet having a relatively high fixing property is used, it is possible to perform control such that a high threshold value is used and the sheet discharge waiting time setting is shortened. According to this, it is possible to perform the fixing control suitable for the property of the plain paper used. Specifically, as shown in Table 3, in the case of recording paper having a relatively good fixing property,
Highly penetrating color ink is applied to a region where the black dot density is 50% or more, and in the case of recording paper having a relatively poor fixing property, the black dot density is 25%.
Highly penetrating color inks are applied to the above areas, and in the case of recording paper having a medium fixing property, highly penetrating color inks are applied to areas where the black dot density is 30% or more. By performing such control, it is possible to determine the application form of the color ink that is suitable for the properties of plain paper.

Table 3 below shows the relationship between the threshold value of the number of continuous detection areas set in the second embodiment and the discharge waiting time for each fixing property of plain paper. According to this table, by setting the fixing in accordance with the recording paper used by the user of the printer, it is possible to obtain good image quality even when the fixing properties of plain paper differ.

[0082]

[Table 3]

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment relating to the features of the present invention will be described.

In the third embodiment, with respect to recording paper having a high fixing property, control is performed so that underprinting is not performed until the number of continuous small detection areas exceeds a threshold value.

By performing such control, when using a recording sheet having a high fixing property, it is possible to efficiently perform the recording operation without performing unnecessary under-printing or discharge waiting control. . That is, it is possible to efficiently perform the fixing control by minimizing the amount of color ink applied while reducing the time required for fixing as much as possible. Table 4 below
An example of setting the relationship between the number of consecutive small detection areas and the undershooting and waiting time is shown in FIG.

[0086]

[Table 4]

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment relating to the features of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, the case where the color dots are recorded before the recording of the black dots has been mainly described as an example, but in the fourth embodiment, after the recording of the black dots is performed. , Color dots are recorded. As shown in FIG. 13, when the area does not exceed 320 pixels, the fixing time can be suppressed to 4 seconds or less even when color dots are applied later. Table 5 below shows a setting example of the relationship between the underprinting, the recording direction, and the discharge waiting time in this embodiment. As shown in Table 5, when the number of black dots exceeds the dot density (threshold value) of 30% in the small detection area of 64 pixels in the vertical direction and 64 pixels in the horizontal direction, the provision of the color dots is determined. Then, when the area exceeding the threshold value continues five times or more, the printing direction is switched to the one-way recording. Further, when the area exceeding the threshold value is 10 times or more, the sheet discharge waiting time is set. It should be noted that the unidirectional printing is to perform printing either during forward scanning or backward scanning of the recording head, while bidirectional printing refers to during forward scanning of the recording head. The printing is performed both during the backward scanning and the backward scanning.

By performing such control, it is possible to minimize the execution of one-way recording, and it is possible to shorten the printing time.

[0090]

[Table 5]

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the ejection amount (dot density) of the color ink when performing under-printing or over-printing is set to a predetermined fixed amount (25% for each color), but high duty ( When the number of continuous small detection areas having a dot density of more than 30%) is small, this color ink ejection amount (ejection duty) may be reduced. For example, a threshold value (for example, 10) serving as an index of the number of consecutive inks is provided, and when the number of consecutive small detection areas is less than the above threshold (10), the ejection amount of the color ink is set to the predetermined amount (25%). ) Less than.
Further, a plurality of different values (for example, the first threshold value, the second threshold value, etc.) may be set as the threshold value.

In this case, when the number of consecutive small detection areas is equal to or larger than the first threshold value (10), the implantation amount is set to the first predetermined amount (for example, 25%), and When the number of continuous detection areas is less than the first threshold value (10) and equal to or more than the second threshold value (5), the implantation amount is set to be the second predetermined amount (for example, 15%), When the number of consecutive small detection areas is less than the second threshold value, the implantation amount is set to be the third predetermined amount (for example, 10%).
In this way, the color ink ejection amount is changed according to the number of continuous small detection areas having high duty. With this configuration, the amount of color ink ejected can be set to the minimum required amount corresponding to the fixing time.

Further, in the above-described first to fourth embodiments, when the color ink is applied to the area where the black ink is applied with a high duty, the color ink of the color ink is applied regardless of the amount (duty) of the black ink applied. The driving amount is constant. However, in the present invention, the color ink ejection amount may be changed according to the black ink ejection amount (duty). Specifically, it is preferable that the higher the duty of black ink, the greater the amount of color ink ejected.

For example, the duty of black ink is 100.
% To 70%, the color ink ejection amount is set to a first predetermined amount (for example, 25%), and when the black ink duty is 69% to 50%, the color ink ejection amount is set to the second amount. When a predetermined amount (for example, 15%) is set and the duty of black ink is 49% to 30%,
The color ink ejection amount is set to a third predetermined amount (for example, 10
%). The duty of black ink is 30.
When it is less than%, the color ink is not ejected. In this way, the color ink ejection amount is changed according to the black ink ejection amount (duty), so that the color ink ejection amount is set to the minimum necessary ejection amount according to the fixing time. be able to.

Further, the color ink ejection amount may be determined in accordance with both the number of consecutive small detection areas having high duty and the ejection amount (duty) of black ink. In the case of this configuration, the larger the number of continuous small detection areas and the higher the black ink ejection amount (duty), the larger the amount of color ink ejection is set. When the ejection amount (duty) of the ink is low, the ejection amount of the color ink is reduced. With this configuration as well, the amount of color ink ejected can be set to the minimum required amount corresponding to the fixing time. And by doing this, there is no waste of color ink ejection,
It is possible to improve the quality of the black image.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment relating to the features of the present invention will be described.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the dot density of the black ink is not adjusted when performing the underprinting or the overprinting. However, for example, the black ink dots in the small detection area are not adjusted. When there is an image area with poor fixability such that the density exceeds the threshold value 30 times or more, control may be performed to reduce the dot density of the black ink. In this way, by reducing the applied amount of the black ink (reducing the dot density), it is possible to enhance the fixability of the area where the fixability is poor.

(Seventh Embodiment) Furthermore, as a more preferable example, an example can be given in which the black ink and the color ink have reactivity. In the seventh embodiment, the color ink has a property of aggregating the black ink. For example, self-dispersing carbon black having an anion group on the surface is used as the coloring material of the black ink, and ink in which a magnesium nitrate salt is dissolved is used as the color ink. By using the ink having such a composition, it becomes possible to aggregate the coloring material of the black ink by the magnesium ions in the color ink.

On the other hand, when the non-reactive black ink and the color ink are used, the color ink is applied to the black ink by superimposing the color ink on the black ink, although it is small, for some types of plain paper. Since the coloring material penetrates into the paper surface, the optical density is lowered. On the other hand, by making the black ink and the color ink reactive as described above, the black ink reacts with the color ink on the paper surface and agglomerates, so the coloring material of the black ink is sufficiently fixed above the paper surface. On the other hand, it becomes possible to maintain a high optical density, and a sharp image can be obtained.

(Other Embodiments) In the above-described first to seventh embodiments, the case of determining the application form (presence / absence of application, application amount, etc.) of color ink in the ink jet recording apparatus has been described. The present invention is not limited to this. That is, in the printer driver of the host computer 306 connected to the inkjet recording apparatus, the form of applying color ink (presence or absence of application, amount of application, etc.)
May be executed. Specifically, based on the information (dot density information or data amount) about the state of application of the low-permeability first ink (for example, black ink) to the recording medium, the high-permeability second ink ( For example, the host computer 3 executes a determination process for determining the application form (color presence or absence, application amount, etc.) of color ink).
This is executed by the 06 printer driver.

In addition to the determination of the color ink application form, the host computer 3 is also responsible for the color data creation processing when the color ink application is determined.
It may be executed by the 06 printer driver. That is, as described above, when it is determined that the second ink (color ink) is ejected to the predetermined area to which the first ink (black ink) is applied, the second ink is ejected to the predetermined area. The data creation process for creating the second ink ejection data corresponding to the predetermined area is performed so that the ink is ejected. However, a mode in which the data creation process is performed by the printer driver is also included in the present invention.

The object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium having a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
It is needless to say that it can be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code itself form the present invention.

When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the storage medium is provided with information (dot density information) on the state of application of the highly penetrating first ink (for example, black ink) to the recording medium. , Or the amount of data), the second ink of high permeability (for example, color ink)
The program code for executing the determination process for determining the granting form (presence or absence of granting, granting amount, etc.) is stored. Therefore, it goes without saying that the program code itself for executing such determination processing or the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

Moreover, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It is needless to say that this also includes a case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the CPU provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0106]

As described above, according to the present invention, the high permeability second ink is based on the information on the application state of the low permeability first ink (for example, black ink) to the recording medium.
Since the application form (presence / absence or application amount) of the ink (for example, color ink) is determined, the fixing time can be shortened while sufficiently suppressing the occurrence of smear.

Therefore, for example, in the low-permeability black area having a high dot density, the fixing speed can be increased by under-printing or over-printing the high-permeability color ink.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a recording head cut along an ink flow path.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

3 is an external perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a recording head in which a large number of nozzles shown in FIG. 1 are arranged in parallel.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of an inkjet recording apparatus incorporating a recording head.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing an example of an ink cartridge applicable in this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing another example of an ink cartridge applicable to this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the cartridge shown in FIG. 6 is mounted on the recording head.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a recording unit applicable to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is another schematic perspective view of a recording unit applicable to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical side view showing an orifice portion of another recording head applicable to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the present invention.

12A is a diagram showing a relationship between a fixing time and a dot density in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram showing an image formed with different dot densities.

13A is a diagram showing a relationship between a fixing time and an image size in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing images of different sizes recorded with a dot density of 100%. .

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the fixing time and the size of an image when a color dot is recorded by being overlaid on a black dot, and FIG.
(B) shows the case where the color dots are overprinted.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing how each ink is fixed on a recording medium when color dots and black dots are recorded in an overlapping manner, FIG. 15A shows a case where color dots are underprinted, and FIG. Indicates the case where the color dots are overprinted.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the applied amount of color dots and the fixing time.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement state of nozzles in the recording head.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory plan view showing a detection region and a small detection region according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 recording head 14 top plate 14a ink flow path 15 head body 16 protective films 17-1, 17-2 aluminum electrode 18 heat-generating resistor layer 19 heat storage layer 20 substrate 21 ink 22 nozzle I recording material Ia meniscus 26 multi-groove 27 glass plate 28 Heat generating head 40 Ink bag 42 Plug 44 Ink absorber 45 Ink cartridge 51 Recording medium supply unit 52 Paper feed roller 53 Paper discharge roller 61 Blade 62 Cap 63 Ink absorber 64 Ejection recovery unit 65 Recording head 66 Carriage 67 Guide shaft 68 CR motor 69 Endless belt 70 Recording unit 71 Head section 72 Atmosphere communication port 81 Color ink 82 Black ink 1401 Cartridge 1403 Black ink storage section 1405 Color ink storage section 1501, 1603 Recording head 1601 Recording unit 601Bk Black ink storage 1601Y Color ink (yellow) storage 1601C Color ink (cyan) storage 1601M Color ink (magenta) storage 1700 Recording head 1701 Ink flow passage 1703 Orifice plate 1705 Vibration plate 1707 Piezoelectric element 1709 Substrate 1711 Discharge port 2001 Color ink 2002 Black ink 2003 Mixed ink of black ink and color ink

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A first recording unit for ejecting a first ink having a predetermined permeability to a recording medium, and a second ink for ejecting a second ink having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability. An ink jet recording method for performing recording by ejecting the respective inks from the respective recording means based on image data by using the second recording means, and a state of applying the first ink to a predetermined region of the recording medium. The determining step of determining the application mode of the second ink to the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, and the applying mode of the second ink determined in the determining step. An inkjet recording method comprising: a recording step of performing a corresponding recording. 2. A first recording unit for ejecting a first ink having a predetermined permeability to a recording medium, and the first recording unit.
Second ink, which has higher penetrability to the recording medium than the second ink
An ink jet recording method for recording by ejecting each of the inks from each of the recording means based on image data by using the second recording means for ejecting each of the inks. The step of acquiring information regarding the ink application state of the recording medium, the determination step of determining the fixing state of the first ink on the recording medium after a predetermined time has elapsed, based on the information acquired in the acquisition step; The method further comprises: a determining step of determining a form of application of the second ink to the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, and a recording step of performing recording according to the form of application determined in the determining step. And an inkjet recording method. 3. The information on the application state of the first ink to the predetermined area is the information on the dot density of the first ink applied to the predetermined area, or the information on the first ink corresponding to the predetermined area. 2. The at least one piece of information regarding the ejection data amount.
Or the inkjet recording method described in 2. 4. When the dot density of the first ink applied to the predetermined area is equal to or more than a threshold value, the second ink is ejected to the predetermined area and the first ink applied to the predetermined area. 4. The ink jet recording method according to claim 3, wherein the second ink is not ejected onto the predetermined area when the dot density is lower than the threshold value. 5. When the ejection data amount of the first ink corresponding to the predetermined area is equal to or larger than a threshold value, the second ink is ejected to the predetermined area and the first ink corresponding to the predetermined area is ejected.
The ink jet recording method according to claim 3, wherein the second ink is not ejected to the predetermined area when the ejection data amount of the ink is lower than a threshold. 6. A unidirectional printing mode in which printing is performed either during forward scanning or backward scanning of the recording head, and in both forward and backward scanning of the recording head. A bidirectional printing mode for performing printing can be executed, and the unidirectional printing mode and the bidirectional printing mode are switched based on information about a state of applying the first ink to the predetermined area. Item 3. The inkjet recording method according to Item 1 or 2. 7. The conveyance of the recording medium is temporarily interrupted after the recording of the recording medium is completed or after the recording of the next recording medium is completed, based on the information on the application state of the first ink to the predetermined area. Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.
The inkjet recording method described in 1. 8. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area is an area composed of a fixed number of pixels. 9. The information on the application state of the first ink to the predetermined area is the information on the number of pixels to which the first ink is actually applied to the predetermined area constituted by the constant number of pixels. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein
The inkjet recording method described in 1. 10. The second ink is ejected to the predetermined region when the number of pixels to which the first ink is actually applied is equal to or larger than a threshold value out of a fixed number of pixels forming the predetermined region. The inkjet recording method according to claim 8, wherein the second ink is not ejected to the predetermined area when the number of pixels to which the first ink is actually applied is less than a threshold value. 11. The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the first ink and the second ink react with each other. 12. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the first ink is a black ink, and the second ink is a color ink having a color other than black. . 13. A first recording device for ejecting a first ink having a predetermined permeability to a recording medium, and a second ink having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability. An ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting each of the inks from each of the recording means based on image data by using a second recording means, and applying the first ink to a predetermined area of the recording medium. A determining unit that determines an application form of the second ink to a predetermined region to which the first ink is applied, based on information about a state; and an application form of the second ink that is determined by the determining unit. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a recording control unit that performs recording according to the above. 14. A first recording device for ejecting a first ink having a predetermined permeability to a recording medium, and a second ink having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability. An image processing method for processing image data transferred to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by ejecting each of the inks from each of the recording means based on the image data, using a second recording means, A determining step of determining whether or not to apply the second ink to the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, based on ejection data of the first ink to the predetermined area of the recording medium; A step of creating ejection data for ejecting the second ink to the predetermined area when it is decided to apply the second ink in the step, An image processing method characterized by: 15. A first recording unit for ejecting a first ink having a predetermined permeability to a recording medium, and a second ink having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability. An image processing method for processing data used for executing an ink jet recording method for performing recording by ejecting the respective inks from the respective recording means based on image data by using a second recording means. And a step of determining whether to apply the second ink to the predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, based on ejection data of the first ink to the predetermined area of the recording medium, And a data creating step of creating ejection data of the second ink corresponding to the predetermined region when it is decided to apply the second ink in the deciding step. Image processing method to be considered. 16. A first recording device for ejecting a first ink having a predetermined permeability to a recording medium, and a second ink having a permeability higher than the predetermined permeability. And a second recording means for performing data processing for processing image data used for executing an ink jet recording method in which the respective inks are ejected from the respective recording means to perform recording based on the image data. A determining step of determining whether to apply a second ink to a predetermined area to which the first ink is applied, based on ejection data of the first ink to a predetermined area of the recording medium. And a data creation step of creating ejection data of the second ink corresponding to the predetermined region when it is decided to apply the second ink in the decision step. A program characterized by causing a computer to execute the. 17. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, the storage medium storing the program according to claim 16. Description: